Chapter Text
….
Core startup; updating protocols….
V.1.2.. Serial Designation-N..
Running diagnostics check…
Hardware Report:.. Minimal damage.
Damage Report:.. Optic sensors- Cause of Minimal damage . Core is secure .
Software Report:.. Oil tank- 19% . Seek refills soon. .. Memory files //?// Corrupted. Corruption data implanted by;;.. SSID: (T3SS4)
A small beep bounced off the walls as a drone- a male disassembler- awoke. Said drone blinked his artificial eyes open, observing his surroundings. The spire was the current homestead of three disassembly drones; Serial Designations J, V, and N. However, looking around, N found the lack of the other two. At this new information he swooped down, his tail unraveling from a metal bar. A large pair of metallic wings slowed his fall, landing quietly on the snow and scattered parts. As his actual eyes- a series of five optics on his head- scanned the area, he was not surprised to find himself alone. V and J usually left him alone now, especially since he started to find joy in hanging out with a worker drone; Uzi.
As much as their bond is… well, both weird and socially frowned upon, he loved hanging out with Uzi. They were best friends! Though.. The term ‘best friends’ didn't sit right with him. It wasn't a bad thing! But N just felt like.. He wanted more. The way his core would thrum around her, flutter at every laugh, every touch, and every smile. The disassembler had caught feelings for the oblivious worker. Unfortunately, he would rather keep those feelings to himself rather than ruin what they've made together! Ah, why did N care? It wasn't like Uzi was all he had left. Except she was.
Shaking his head from his wandering thoughts, his wings outstretched. Readying his stance for flight, N immediately pounced into the air; the night engulfing his form. Only once he was above the spire did he let himself fall back into his thoughts about Uzi. They didn't hang out last night, Uzi having been busy with… something, he didn't even remember her telling him why. Was she upset with him? Oh no! He should say sorry. Is she just busy? It's not his business to be snooping through. Letting out a frustrated groan, N logged into his personal messaging system. Uzi had exchanged serial numbers with him, so they would be able to text while apart. N figured he could send a message, asking if she was awake.
N;;; Hi :) Are u awake?
N waited for a moment. It was fine if she was asleep, more than fine! She needs it anyway. Plus, if she was asleep, he could possibly try and refill his tank- However, his mind quieted as he saw the ‘typing’ bubble pop up.
Uzi;;; Ya, whts up ?
N;;; Oh, nothing much! I had just been wondering if you wanted to hang out tonight! It's okay if you’re busy!
Uzi;;; Oh, sure why not. meet me by the door, k?
N;;; Okay!
The male drone wagged his tail as he changed his route, heading over to the colony’s door as Uzi told him to do so. The hum of his thrusters and whip of his tail was all he heard at the moment, the wind oddly serene right now. Usually the winds of Copper-9 would shake his flight, sometimes even throwing him off balance- causing him to barrel to the side or down. N let out a yelp as he realized he just about missed his target. Quickly shutting off his thrusters and retracting his wings, he was sent plummeting to the ground. With a loud thud and cloud of powdered snow, N hit the ground. He let out a groan, clutching his head as he sat up.
“Oh robo-god! Dude, are you okay? I open the door and see you hit the ground- don't you have wings?”
Uzi came rushing out the door, crouching down to N’s side. The worker let out a tiny giggle at the disassembler’s disheveled appearance. The laughter rubbed off onto N, his own giggles chirping out of him.
“Heh, I'm alright, Uzi! I just- almost flew by, turns out that might have not been the worst idea-” N huffed out, standing up.
Uzi dusted off his coat for him, his visor growing a few blush lines as she did so. He was quick to shake them away.
“Well duh, ya big goof.” She playfully swatted his arm, “Turning around is better than falling. Pffft, anyways! Did you have something in mind for tonight? Or are we just winging it?”
Thinking for a moment, he shook his head. There wasn't much to do on a desolate, toxic planet. Though- maybe they could have fun with that fact.
“Actually, There’s an abandoned city not far from the spire! Maybe we could go check it out, maybe loot it if we find something of interest! It's only a few miles north, I'm sure we could get there if we fly fast enough, but there's no rush!” N explained. He once again deployed his wings, his thrusters humming to life; preparing for flight.
“Speaking of wings, have you been practicing?”
Uzi shook her head. Usually N would give her small mini lessons while they were out, but they have been busy in their own separate ways.
“Nah, but that's fine! I'm sure I can do a straight shot at higher speeds. It's not like if I fall ill plummet to my death- I know you'd help me out. “ N agreed with her. “ And honestly, abandoned city exploration sounds sick as hell! “ Uzi pumped a fist in the air, a wild grin on her face.
As they both agreed it was best to leave now, Uzi summoned her own wings. She burst up into the air, a little wobbly at first, but she regained her balance. N was quick to join her, his own wings throwing him upwards next to Uzi. With a nod, they both flew up a bit higher, then darted off. The winds felt nice rushing on their faces, the both of them having a never-dying smile. This is what they appreciated, they liked to just bask in each other's presence. N dipped a bit lower, flipping his body around. He was underneath Uzi, both of their stomachs facing each other. The male let out a small giggle, which Uzi couldn't help but copy.
“What are you doing?” Uzi barked.
“Flying!”
“Like that?” She giggled.
“Why not! It's fun! Plus, my thrusters keep me upright easier!”
Uzi gave an understanding shrug in response. Yeah, his flying was way easier than hers. But if he really needed to- and when he teaches Uzi- he can turn off his boosters. Flying, by flapping his wings that is, is definitely difficult considering the open blades; Which was harder to catch air and definitely heavy. Her tail had snaked out, moving to coil around N’s. As heartfelt as the action was, N quickled untangled himself from her grasp, dipping a bit lower as if looking for something. Uzi gave a confused look, as if she did something wrong. Was tail holding something.. Bad for disassembly drones? However, N’s flailing arms caught her attention. His screen read a message; BE QUIET . N let out a tiny hiss, swooping back up and snatching Uzi around her torso. She was pulled closely and tightly into his chest, her wings retracting as he did so. The male drone turned off his thrusters, the once enjoyed quiet of the night becoming unnerving.
The two of them started to dip, soon falling from the sky. As N was as calm as he seemed, Uzi was holding back a startled yell. Underneath the clouds was a city- run down, broken and charred. N made quick work to swoop down into a building. With his arms still around Uzi, he directed them into a crevasse between some rubble. Just as the worker was about to ask what the hell was going on , N slapped a hand over her mouth. His visor flashed a message at her; Stay quiet, just for a bit longer.
Uzi was as confused as ever, however that confusion was over taken with surprise and fear as a bright flash of yellow burst past them. N curled his tail around Uzi, giving a small squeeze like a hug. There was a loud thud, and cluttering of blades near them. Another disassembly drone? N had let go of her, his posture becoming more tense. Uzi was well, mildly panicking. She flashed him a message; What r u doing? N had only shook his head, holding up a finger as if telling her to stay there.
Uzi curled in on herself, the scrape of her boots giving a tiny noise. The action made N flinch, and catch the other disassembly drone’s attention.
“ Little worker drone..~ I can hear you in here~” The unknown drone cooed, footsteps growing closer.
Well, that was probably the last ‘calm’ thing that happened before N pulled away, one of his hands switching for a rifle. N did not fire any shots, but was aiming at the other drone as he stepped closer.
“ Wh- Ugh! You’re that drone. J’s squad, right? Yeah, we heard about your defective waste of metal! “ The drone- seemingly another male, growled.
N hissed back, his tail pointing threateningly at the other. “ Get lost! You know there’s nothing here.” His tone was.. Well, definitely harsher than Uzi has ever heard.
“Ah, but there is~ You know our sensors don't lie! Unless yours are all wacked out. Ya hiding the oil bank from me? “ The drone’s tail lashed behind him, clearly just testing N’s patience.
The same patience of which N had just lost. The quieter sounds from before were quickly replaced by an eruption of gunshots, slashes, growls and hisses. It could be mistaken for some dog fight if it weren't for the shots being fired. Uzi had peaked out from the rocks, getting a glimpse of the two males viciously fighting. The sight was completely new to her, not used to seeing N so.. Feral? Upset? Violent? But she knew he was only doing it to protect her.
Uzi got a sense of Deja Vu as the unknown drone deployed his wings, effectively pinning N to the wall with a stab to the shoulder. N kicked his legs out, thrashing around- it almost looked like a toddler’s tantrum. Uzi used the opportunity to summon her solver, throwing the disassembler off N. What Uzi didn't expect was for N to immediately jump out, pouncing onto the other male once again. Both of their eyelights have disappeared, replaced with the trademark ‘X’. Uzi yelped, moving away from the rolling pair of drones, clawing and scratching at each other.
The worker backed away further, the rather animalistic sounds coming from them becoming worrying. This was.. definitely something she never thought she'd see. As soon as N got the upper hand, his claws plunged into the other male's core. Uzi had looked away, but she could figure out he had.. disposed of the unknown drone. One thing she wasnt sure of though, was the fact N was.. Laughing. Uzi returned her gaze, and she saw N still had the sadistic X on his visor, his oil-covered claws glistening in the moonlight as he laughed. After literally killing one of his own.
“..N?” Uzi started, hesitantly stepping forward.
Upon hearing her voice, N's eyes blinked back, his giggles coming to an abrupt stop. He stared at Uzi, his eyes drifting down to his hands, then to the destroyed core-heart. The disassembly drone once again looked back at Uzi, his hands raised up defensively, and his eyes to hollow circles.
“I- uhm.. I don't know what came over me I- Hey, at least he won't attack us!” He defended, unsure of Uzi's actual opinion on.. this.
“ N- No it's fine. That was just- different. I'm fine with you going all uh, fight mode like that, kinda cool if I'm honest- B-but! Uh, you did get just a tad bit… crazy at the end there- Are you feeling okay?” Uzi reached out a hand, placing it on his arm.
N nodded, giving a small smile to her. “I'm fine. I think my CPU's a little jacked up- it'll be fine though! Should we continue what we were doing? I'm thinking we go deeper in the city, this area's a little desolate “ He nervously rubbed his arms. He just needed oil, he can find some whenever Uzi gets back to the colony. It’ll be fine.
Uzi Agreed, her wings and tail coming out. She carefully stepped over the dismantled drone, now standing near a ledge. N joined her, his wings open and thrusters ready. Uzi gave N a playful smirk before tipping over the edge, allowing the winds to catch her wings. N followed soon after, drifting over to Uzi before bursting away. The worker giggled, flapping her wings hard and fast to catch up, which wasn't too hard since N slowed his speed. The drone in question had swooped next to Uzi, a grin on his face.
“Just up ahead is where the city actually has loot, I've seen some shops and work places full of stuff! There's even a video store I think you’ll like!” He beamed, pointing around wildly to accompany his words.
“How do you even know about those things? I thought being a disassembler means you aren't / weren't very.. Open to the world-?” She laughed.
“Oh! Well, I wasn't always a-” N suddenly clamped his mouth shut. A moment of silence passed over them.
…
“You weren't.. Always a disassembly drone?..” Uzi put two and two together. Huh.. that actually didn't make a lot of sense. As Uzi looked back at N, he was already staring at her with hollowed ring eyes.
N quickly looked away, giving a tiny nod. “ Yeah uh.. Most of us were reprogrammed and uhm, rebuilt. But that's a conversation for another time! Lets just enjoy this” He was definitely quick to dismiss the topic. As much as Uzi wanted to prod for more answers, she figured it was a sore subject. She decided to drop it for now, but still gave a nod to him. A conversation they will have later. N was quickly lightened up though, pointing down to a run down building. They all looked the same to her.
“There! That's the video store! Maybe you can find something there! You like those uhhh… animated humans, right! They might have some little toys related to that!” N exclaimed, leading Uzi over.
The worker let out a small laugh, assuming he meant action figures . “Maybe! Let's find out.”
As the two drones landed, Uzi felt a chill run up her spine. She wasn't one to be nervous or anything, but something felt off. N looked back, there was a bit of strain in his smile- did he feel it too?
“I'm just gonna make sure the inside is clear, stay out here, I'll be quick!” N spoke with.. Enthusiasm and chipper tones.
“Wh- I can hel-”
“Just let me check it out.” He interrupted.
Uzi crossed her arms, huffing a bit as she stepped to the side. N had switched a hand out for his tri claws. Well, he definitely felt whatever the hell she did, he was just playing it off. AT least that's what she was assuming from this. Uzi walked over to a run down bench, taking a seat.
N walked inside, his visor and optic sensors brightening to work as a light source. So maybe he got a weird feeling when they landed! It was probably nothing. The drone walked quietly, his optics scanning the surroundings. He made sure not to focus too much on the items scattered around, so he could do them with Uzi later. However a sudden clattering in the backroom caught him off guard. Something seemed to have fallen, as seen by a rolling bouncy ball. N froze, the object also making a stop. Turning the corner, he soon realized the cause of the sound was just a wandering robo-roach. N let out a tiny chuckle, burning turning around.
“Uzi! It’s clear!”
… N did not get a reply.
He walked back outside, not seeing her where she was standing before. His eyes wandered to the bench nearby- Empty.
“Uzi?
”